Matthew Breier

Hello! I’m Matthew. For many, the word “research” conjures up images of test tubes, pipettes and gels. As a humanities enthusiast, with a double major in Anthropology and HSOC and a double minor in History and Classical Studies, I have explored many of the phenomenal opportunities in humanities research that Penn offers. I am excited to have the chance to guide aspiring new undergraduate researchers on their own journey in the world of humanities research. During my freshman year orientation, I attended a session where Dr. Sarah Gronningsater discussed her research in history and I remember thinking what an amazing opportunity it would be to work with her. So, figuring that I had nothing to lose, I emailed her and before I knew it, I was embarking on my first research project on the history of abolition. After that, as a sophomore, I was in Dr. Petryna’s anthropology class, Introduction to Medical Anthropology, approached her to see if I could help her with her research, and eventually engaged in a project with her about the effects of pollution from the Russo-Ukrainian War. During summer between sophomore and junior year, I applied for PURM with Dr. David S. Barnes in the HSOC Department. After completing that project, I have extended this research as a University Scholar.  As you can see the possibilities for research in the humanities at Penn are both endless and exciting! Outside of research, I enjoy playing alto saxophone in the Penn Wind Ensemble, leading the Roundtable for PULJ, and cooking/baking! Please feel free to reach out with any and all questions!

• University Scholar (January 2025-present)
• Yale Sherwin B. Nuland Summer Institute in Bioethics (Summer 2025)
• Penn Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program (PURM) (Summer 2024)
• Research assistant to Dr. Adrianna Petryna (Fall 2023-Spring 2024)
• Research assistant to Dr. Sarah Gronningsater (Spring and Fall 2023)